Our Endorsements: In the 8th District

July 18, 2010

Republican voters in Florida's 8th Congressional District can't complain in this election year about a lack of choices. Seven GOP candidates are in the race for their party's nomination, galvanized by the opportunity to take on the district's incumbent Democrat, firebrand first-termer Alan Grayson.

Democrats now enjoy a slight advantage in registration in the district, which stretches north from Celebration in Osceola County into Orange, Lake and Marion counties, and includes a portion of Orlando. But Mr. Grayson's unabashedly liberal positions have convinced many conservatives that he is vulnerable this year.

While there is a crowd of Republican candidates in the race, one stands out for his experience, knowledge, achievements and approach to governing: former legislator Dan Webster.

Mr. Webster, a businessman from Winter Garden, retired from the Legislature in 2008 after 28 years. He was honored with leadership positions by his colleagues in both chambers, serving as House speaker and Senate majority leader. He helped reform the state's welfare program, upgrade voting systems, raise education standards and open the legislative process to more public scrutiny.

While he worked on state issues as a legislator, Mr. Webster also is well informed on the federal issues he would face as a congressman.

We didn't support Mr. Webster in his activism on social issues in the Legislature. For example, he regularly pushed for restrictions on abortion, which remains — like it or not — a constitutional right.

But despite Mr. Webster's staunch conservatism on this and other issues, he enjoyed the admiration and respect of many of the Legislature's Democrats for his ability to separate the political from the personal. His constructive and civil approach to lawmaking is sorely needed at a time when many candidates would rather demonize members of the other party than work with them.

After he left the Legislature, Mr. Webster chaired a panel that downplayed problems at the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority. But this blemish shouldn't overshadow his distinguished record of public service, or his strong credentials.

Among the other candidates, state Rep. Kurt Kelly of Ocala may come closest to Mr. Webster on qualifications, but he's way behind. A businessman, he's good at ticking off problems, but short on solutions. He wouldn't be nearly as effective in Congress.

Winter Park lawyer Todd Long, who took on incumbent Republican Ric Keller in 2008, has come a long way in two years. He's smart and thoughtful on issues, and deserves credit for confronting his past problems with alcohol. But he is among many — too many — candidates this year trying to make political hay out of public anxiety over illegal immigration.

While Mr. Webster hesitated about entering the race, Bruce O'Donoghue, a Winter Park businessman, lined up endorsements from former U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez and former Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings. But Mr. O'Donoghue is disappointingly ill-informed on issues. He wants to balance the budget but won't mess with Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. Good luck with that. And while he has been touting his business background, his company has been hit with an IRS lien for not paying payroll taxes in 2009. He blames a former employee.

The remaining three candidates in the races aren't worthy of serious consideration from Republican voters.

Dan Fanelli, a businessman and retired pilot from Windermere, has shamelessly promoted stereotypes of Muslims as terrorists in his hopeless quest for relevance.

Patricia Sullivan, a homemaker and Tea Party organizer from Eustis, is such a kneejerk opponent of all things government-related that she wouldn't endorse the Civil Rights Act of 1964. "I'm not even going to go there," she said. Republicans should stay away from her, too.

And Ross Beiling, a businessman from Sanford, warns ominously of the "Marxists" who have taken control in Washington. Be very afraid.

Fortunately, Republican voters have a far more worthy and credible choice in the 8th Congressional District. The Sentinel endorses Dan Webster in the Republican primary.